The GIST: Every U.S. city seems to be vying for the WNBA’s 16th franchise, and Austin, Texas, has just thrown their hat in the ring. Led by former Houston Comets player and Shark Tank alumna Fran Harris, the bid is gaining momentum.
The cities: Austin is the latest city to join the race for the WNBA franchise, bringing the total number of contenders to around 15. Other cities in the running include Philadelphia, Denver, Nashville, Orlando, and Miami, with another potential bid from Texas on the horizon.
The bid: Harris, with her deep Texas roots and impressive business background, has been working on Austin’s bid for a year now. Her connections in the sports industry and successful businesses have added weight to the submission.
Texas has a history of hosting WNBA teams, but Austin’s appeal lies in its potential for success. With only one pro sports team (Austin FC), the city is seen as a strong candidate due to its location, facilities, corporate sponsorship opportunities, and devoted UT fanbase.
The growth: The increasing interest in the 16th WNBA bid has raised the bar for expansion fees, with estimates ranging from $150M to $200M. What started with only a handful of cities interested has now grown to over a dozen, indicating the high demand for women’s sports franchises.
Zooming out: While major NBA cities like Philadelphia are expected contenders, mid-sized cities have also found success in landing women’s sports franchises. Cities like Louisville and Portland have shown strong support for women’s sports, with Portland recently announcing 7.5K season ticket deposits ahead of its 2026 launch.
